Representative of Rome's enormous import system is the artificial mound of Monte Testaccio, measuring 35-meters high by several hundred meters long. Dating from the Roman Empire, it is composed of 53-million discarded olive oil amphorae, the equivalent of about 6-billion litres of oil. The empty vessels were probably carried up the mound intact, then broken and positioned into a stable pattern. Lime sprinkled on the terraces neutralized any rancid smell.

Emperor Nero constructed a 40-meter tall bronze statue of himself near his palace, the Golden House (Domus Aurea). After his death, the head was swapped out for the sun god, Sol. Then Hadrian relocated the 131-foot high statue to the Flavian Amphitheater (Colloseum), requiring the efforts of 24-elephants. Later, Emperor Commodus substituted Sol's head with one of himself, replete with the attributes of Hercules. Upon the death of Commodus, Sol's head was again restored. The statue survived until the middle ages.

When Judea became a Roman province in A.D. 6, Jews lost the right to inflict capital punishment on their own citizens. The Sanhedrim could only pronounce a death sentence; nothing could be done without the sanction of the governor. Prefect Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, had full authority over the inhabitants. Regardless of the origin of the accused, any criminal physically present within Pilate's jurisdiction was subject to his absolute power (if a Galilean remained in Galilee, Pilate could not touch him). Should the Prefect venture beyond the boundaries of Judea, he was considered a civilian without influence. Paulus, Julius Libro 13 Ad Sabinum (Roman law jurist, second century).

The Latin alphabet was based on the Etruscan, which itself was derived from the Greek. Ultimately, Latin broke down into many dialects and evolved into the Romance languages. 80% of Spanish, French and Italian words are based in Latin, and between 60% and 70% of English. Romans only wrote in capital letters; lower case ones were devised during the middle ages.

It was only legal to gamble at the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus. However, there was one exception. Betting was permitted during the week-long festival of Saturnalia.

Julia, a married woman, was asked her secret for having affairs while bearing children resembling her husband. Her purported answer was "I never take on new passengers unless the boat is already full." As the daughter of Emperor Augustus, her scandalous public behavior was a continual source of consternation and shame. The emperor had passed legislation designed to promote family values and discourage promiscuity, which made her conduct all the more humiliating. He said of his wife and child: "If only I had never married, or had died childless."

According to Roman historian, Festus, unwanted children, or those in need of breastfeeding, were left in the Forum Oliorius next to a pillar known as the Milk Column. (See First Century Life: Columna Lactaria)

Rome had a perimeter of about 14-miles.

When a person died, their tear bottle was usually buried with them. (See Puzzling Scriptures: Bathed His Feet With Tears)

According to Tertullian, Emperor Tiberius converted to Christianity. Following the crucifixion, he nominated Jesus to the Roman Hall of Gods, but was voted down by the Senate (Apology Vol. 1, chapter 5). (See: Tiberius)